Post by Old Bucks Admin on Dec 28, 2012 21:52:54 GMT -5
Tired of ridicule outside of home and work, Ken Blankstein threw all bias to the wind with Week 14 of the epic Old Bucks saga enjoying a Blankstinian version of fair and balanced, once again manifesting itself in the form of a random stick toss executed by Bob Freiling. That Bob scoured the dressing rooms beforehand memorizing players’ sticks in no way affected the outcome. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.
The holiday season brought home some familiar faces (Jim Heffern, John Hunt, son of Dave) and the absence of others (Mike Robbins, Millens Sr. and Jr.) to name a few. Each of these players would each have an impact on the game. Blue got on the scoreboard first with an incredible if improbable shot blasted from the high point by K Blankstein himself, feeling energized in a Rangers smock. The shot rebounded high and was smartly redirected by Rich Devlin in a single fell-swooping jai alai motion that could only be executed by the hand-eye coordination of a seven handicap (or less). Only three minutes in Devlin was on pace for a Gordie Howe hat trick. The Blue curtain persisted with another offensive zone press, this time with Skupe at the Gretzky desk behind the Red goal. Upon seeing Devlin charge across the crease he feathered him a pass that was promptly buried, low right side. Oh yeah, beauty eh? Red stormed back with their first potted by the Bob Freiling, a bit of a floater (truth be told) diddling in the crease that Bobby was able to convert five hole. Good hands, that fat-tongued devil. Jim Heffern, returning from his Yankee-Connecticut hiatus showed no signs of rust, burying a sweet back hander past an unsuspecting Marty in Blue, mid-shelf left at the end of a speeding breakaway. That Jim now chooses to speak in a Thurston Howell III accent is one thing, but knotting his red jersey into an ascot is another thing altogether. Hopefully when Jim returns from the elevated confines of Stamford permanently, so too will his Jersey demeanor – and hole-riddled sweatpants, representing the pride of the Garden State.
Briefly tied at two, Rich Devlin streaked into the offensive zone, zipping a pass onto the tape of Dave Hunt who quickly redirected it back to Rich who snap converted it left side tic tac toe in a play that was as flashy as anything we’ve ever seen—in Old Bucks. Taking back the lead, Rich’s natural hat trick accounted for 100% of the offensive output for Blue with still most of the game left to play. But Red wouldn’t hear of it. Craig Allen awoke from his bear den, stepping outside his comfort zone just long enough to pick up a timely rebound off Marty’s left pad and wristing the puck into an open lobster trap, left side. This game would continue to ping pong back and forth for the remainder, with no team ever holding a lead by more than a goal. Old time Hockey!!
Speaking of which, a kerfuffle developed at the end of a play in the Blue zone, with “Ogie” Cerbone taking up his familiar role of crease protector, this time attempting to chop down the mighty oak tree that is George Schott. Never one to let gravity, the ravages of time or common sense dissuade him of his high energy police tactics, Rich might’ve bit off a little too much this time. A pushing and shouting match ensued (Canadian foreplay), and at one point George palmed Rich’s face with his bare hand and picked him up arm extended, clean off of the ice, both skates dangling. Rich then bit his hand. But the gentlemanly protocols of Old Bucks prevailed, and the game returned to its spritely if slightly languid pace. The Blue bench, however, was witness to a contrite George Schott who confessed himself a lapsed Quaker and tearfully promised to make amends. Ah, the passions of well contested battle…
The young(er) Hunt, John broke through the Red offensive zone briefly uncontested to be challenged by a lone defender in the form of Eddie Odoski, who was effective in funneling John down to a very narrow window, hard right side, almost to the one o’clock position of the faceoff circle. More effective though, was John’s lightning blast from an impossible eighty degree angle to the net, finding the smallest of openings on the top of the right side. Kid’s good enough to be Canadian.
Dave Hunt gave Blue a one-goal lead, breaking into the offensive zone past three flat-footed defenders (you know who you are) to beat guest Goalie Eddie cross-side left with laser pointer execution. Proving there’s no pictures on scorecards, Jim Heffern tied it up again with a dipsy doodler in front of Marty; a trickler of sorts - -but it has the same numeric value as the rest of ‘em.
Bobby Freiling, glad that hockey isn’t a spoken-word board game, flashed end to end, starting deep in his zone and picking up furious pace beyond another gaggle of flat-footed Blue defenders (you know who you are) to go zero on one against what could only be described as a tempestuous Marty, burying a quick wristed puck past Marty’s left elbow. The Blue defenders did well to not return to their home zone thereafter, for one doesn’t wisely whack the hornet’s nest that is a scorned Marty and not pay for it.
Putting Red back even, Jim Heffern was able to convert a broken attempt by Blue to clear the zone, hitting Marty’s high left side, only to be deflected at the very end by an ever-conscientious Bob Freiling to ensure another point in his favor. Man, when you’re this good, the game really slows down for you. Huck Fairman, replacing Mark Herr on Blue’s lightning transitional skating line was able to streak down the left side (that’s a relativism) shoot and pick up his own rebound, craftily retaking the lead. Answering this call in a classic “Special Olympic Boxing” moment, Hughie DeHaven ventured past the offensive blue line briefly, wading into the unsure waters of opportunity, popping a floater past a very surprised Marty. He was not alone in this regard.
Rich Devlin, ever the Daryl Sittler of Blue, felt that even Mike Robbins can score a hat trick, so a fourth goal would elevate his OB status beyond that of stick wielding swashbuckler. Success. His celebration at this point was to skate away in victory like he’d been there three times before, this very night. With only minutes to go, and Blue attempting to sit on its tenuous lead, Red quarterbacked a genius move by benching Jim Heffern in favor of Bob Freiling who hit the ice just in time to pick up a neutral zone turnover and bear down on Marty, back-handing the game tie-er uncontested. Try as Blue might to rush back desperately, the Zamboni door made short work of it. Tie game, seven all.
A record crowd retired to TJ’s that night, feeling spirited by a great contest and holiday cheer. That the last couple of post game outings featured indoor seating no doubt buttressed the head count. Larry Johnson graciously picked up two pies, Paul Egan lead with a third – a Brooklyn style no less, apparently in tribute to our friend Kevin Saunders. It was Egan’s only contribution the entire evening. Rich Devlin brought his controversy stirring cinnamon whisky (delicious); Hughie answered with a very appealing small batch bourbon. It was a jovial gathering, a highlight of brotherhood that underscored the core tenets of Old Bucks’ hockey - - have fun, play safe, replenish all spent calories with the most hollow ones imaginable.
All in all, with two tie games in as many attempts, the random “throw sticks at center ice” has proven to be a highly effective method of choosing the squads. If we should continue to do so, and the randomness tilts to an unexplained continued winning streak by either team, don’t worry, we can still blame Kenny.
The holiday season brought home some familiar faces (Jim Heffern, John Hunt, son of Dave) and the absence of others (Mike Robbins, Millens Sr. and Jr.) to name a few. Each of these players would each have an impact on the game. Blue got on the scoreboard first with an incredible if improbable shot blasted from the high point by K Blankstein himself, feeling energized in a Rangers smock. The shot rebounded high and was smartly redirected by Rich Devlin in a single fell-swooping jai alai motion that could only be executed by the hand-eye coordination of a seven handicap (or less). Only three minutes in Devlin was on pace for a Gordie Howe hat trick. The Blue curtain persisted with another offensive zone press, this time with Skupe at the Gretzky desk behind the Red goal. Upon seeing Devlin charge across the crease he feathered him a pass that was promptly buried, low right side. Oh yeah, beauty eh? Red stormed back with their first potted by the Bob Freiling, a bit of a floater (truth be told) diddling in the crease that Bobby was able to convert five hole. Good hands, that fat-tongued devil. Jim Heffern, returning from his Yankee-Connecticut hiatus showed no signs of rust, burying a sweet back hander past an unsuspecting Marty in Blue, mid-shelf left at the end of a speeding breakaway. That Jim now chooses to speak in a Thurston Howell III accent is one thing, but knotting his red jersey into an ascot is another thing altogether. Hopefully when Jim returns from the elevated confines of Stamford permanently, so too will his Jersey demeanor – and hole-riddled sweatpants, representing the pride of the Garden State.
Briefly tied at two, Rich Devlin streaked into the offensive zone, zipping a pass onto the tape of Dave Hunt who quickly redirected it back to Rich who snap converted it left side tic tac toe in a play that was as flashy as anything we’ve ever seen—in Old Bucks. Taking back the lead, Rich’s natural hat trick accounted for 100% of the offensive output for Blue with still most of the game left to play. But Red wouldn’t hear of it. Craig Allen awoke from his bear den, stepping outside his comfort zone just long enough to pick up a timely rebound off Marty’s left pad and wristing the puck into an open lobster trap, left side. This game would continue to ping pong back and forth for the remainder, with no team ever holding a lead by more than a goal. Old time Hockey!!
Speaking of which, a kerfuffle developed at the end of a play in the Blue zone, with “Ogie” Cerbone taking up his familiar role of crease protector, this time attempting to chop down the mighty oak tree that is George Schott. Never one to let gravity, the ravages of time or common sense dissuade him of his high energy police tactics, Rich might’ve bit off a little too much this time. A pushing and shouting match ensued (Canadian foreplay), and at one point George palmed Rich’s face with his bare hand and picked him up arm extended, clean off of the ice, both skates dangling. Rich then bit his hand. But the gentlemanly protocols of Old Bucks prevailed, and the game returned to its spritely if slightly languid pace. The Blue bench, however, was witness to a contrite George Schott who confessed himself a lapsed Quaker and tearfully promised to make amends. Ah, the passions of well contested battle…
The young(er) Hunt, John broke through the Red offensive zone briefly uncontested to be challenged by a lone defender in the form of Eddie Odoski, who was effective in funneling John down to a very narrow window, hard right side, almost to the one o’clock position of the faceoff circle. More effective though, was John’s lightning blast from an impossible eighty degree angle to the net, finding the smallest of openings on the top of the right side. Kid’s good enough to be Canadian.
Dave Hunt gave Blue a one-goal lead, breaking into the offensive zone past three flat-footed defenders (you know who you are) to beat guest Goalie Eddie cross-side left with laser pointer execution. Proving there’s no pictures on scorecards, Jim Heffern tied it up again with a dipsy doodler in front of Marty; a trickler of sorts - -but it has the same numeric value as the rest of ‘em.
Bobby Freiling, glad that hockey isn’t a spoken-word board game, flashed end to end, starting deep in his zone and picking up furious pace beyond another gaggle of flat-footed Blue defenders (you know who you are) to go zero on one against what could only be described as a tempestuous Marty, burying a quick wristed puck past Marty’s left elbow. The Blue defenders did well to not return to their home zone thereafter, for one doesn’t wisely whack the hornet’s nest that is a scorned Marty and not pay for it.
Putting Red back even, Jim Heffern was able to convert a broken attempt by Blue to clear the zone, hitting Marty’s high left side, only to be deflected at the very end by an ever-conscientious Bob Freiling to ensure another point in his favor. Man, when you’re this good, the game really slows down for you. Huck Fairman, replacing Mark Herr on Blue’s lightning transitional skating line was able to streak down the left side (that’s a relativism) shoot and pick up his own rebound, craftily retaking the lead. Answering this call in a classic “Special Olympic Boxing” moment, Hughie DeHaven ventured past the offensive blue line briefly, wading into the unsure waters of opportunity, popping a floater past a very surprised Marty. He was not alone in this regard.
Rich Devlin, ever the Daryl Sittler of Blue, felt that even Mike Robbins can score a hat trick, so a fourth goal would elevate his OB status beyond that of stick wielding swashbuckler. Success. His celebration at this point was to skate away in victory like he’d been there three times before, this very night. With only minutes to go, and Blue attempting to sit on its tenuous lead, Red quarterbacked a genius move by benching Jim Heffern in favor of Bob Freiling who hit the ice just in time to pick up a neutral zone turnover and bear down on Marty, back-handing the game tie-er uncontested. Try as Blue might to rush back desperately, the Zamboni door made short work of it. Tie game, seven all.
A record crowd retired to TJ’s that night, feeling spirited by a great contest and holiday cheer. That the last couple of post game outings featured indoor seating no doubt buttressed the head count. Larry Johnson graciously picked up two pies, Paul Egan lead with a third – a Brooklyn style no less, apparently in tribute to our friend Kevin Saunders. It was Egan’s only contribution the entire evening. Rich Devlin brought his controversy stirring cinnamon whisky (delicious); Hughie answered with a very appealing small batch bourbon. It was a jovial gathering, a highlight of brotherhood that underscored the core tenets of Old Bucks’ hockey - - have fun, play safe, replenish all spent calories with the most hollow ones imaginable.
All in all, with two tie games in as many attempts, the random “throw sticks at center ice” has proven to be a highly effective method of choosing the squads. If we should continue to do so, and the randomness tilts to an unexplained continued winning streak by either team, don’t worry, we can still blame Kenny.